Governor Makes Gay Marriage Legal in Maryland

Posted on Mar 2, 2012

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Maryland’s Gov. Martin O’Malley.

Good show, governor. On Thursday, Maryland joined the growing list of states to make same-sex marriage legal, and Gov. Martin O’Malley made it a memorable occasion, complete with an after-party at his place. —KA

The Baltimore Sun:

“The way forward is always found through greater respect for the equal rights of all,” said O’Malley, giving brief remarks before signing the legislation. “If there is a thread that unites all of our work here together, it is the thread of human dignity. … Let’s sign the bill.”

The ceremony was held in a marble hallway on the first floor of the State House, with O’Malley and the General Assembly’s presiding officers seated before a staircase packed with supportive lawmakers and advocates.

Senate President Thomas V. Mike Miller gave the crowd a thumbs-up. House Speaker Michael E. Busch beamed and pointed to supporters. After signing, all three handed out black pens — one of the first going to [Delegate] Maggie McIntosh, the first openly gay Maryland lawmaker.

O’Malley invited the crowd to join him “across the street” in the governor’s mansion for a reception open to the public.

Even though I wouldn’t marry a man,I strongly believe
people should have the right to lives as they choose.
As long as everyone involved is of legal consenting
age,no one is harmed, and the people involved have
the mental capacity to understand their decision.
That being said, the Governor of Maryland and the
State Legislators made the courageous decision to
legalize gay marriage in Maryland despite all of hate
and bigotry this law faced, mainly from religious
organizations. If rights in this country were left to
voter referendum, Blacks would still be slaves in the
south, and living under Jim Crow in the North, Women
along with other minorities would not have the right
to vote, and abortion along with birth control would
still be illegal in many parts of America.